Do You Really Need a Wedding Planner?
If you're asking this question, chances are you're leaning towards not, but are feeling some pressure to do so. A lot of the time deciding not to hire a wedding planner is either because you don't have the budget for one or because you don't want someone else planning a day you've been dreaming about for years. We get it. To answer you're question simply: No, you don't really need a wedding planner. However, wedding planners can be a huge asset, especially if you've planning a large or destination wedding. Plus, wedding planners come in many different shapes and sizes. So you'll likely find a wedding planner that fits your wants and needs, while also fitting a budget.
How to know if you should hire a wedding planner.
If you can say yes to the one or more of the following, a wedding planner may be exactly what you need:
Another budget friendly option that works for brides that want to be in complete control of the wedding planning, but to sit back and enjoy the wedding day is a Day-of Coordinator. This type of wedding planner simply coordinates everything on the day of your wedding. They'll be working with the vendors, keeping everything on schedule, and organizing any post wedding clean ups. Then, if you have no idea what you want your wedding to look like or have a very big and unique vision, you might consider an event designer. This is someone that would work alongside you or a more traditional wedding planner. They don't handle any of the logistics or budget tracking. They are focused on coordinating with vendors only to create the vision and design. A full service wedding planner, of course, does everything. They handle the bringing the vision to life through design and logistics. This doesn't mean they take over and you don't get a say. It simply means that you have an expert to help make what you want happen and that knows what the best options really are. Plus, anything you don't want to deal with can be completely handled by the wedding planner.
How to know if you should hire a wedding planner.
If you can say yes to the one or more of the following, a wedding planner may be exactly what you need:
- There are too many people providing or insisting upon conflicting input on how the wedding should be.
- You're having a destination wedding.
- You don't have any reliable sources to find quality wedding vendors.
- You don't have any outside help from family or friends to get everything done.
- You and or your future spouse are unable to meet with vendors during the week.
What type of wedding planner should you hire?
Whether you are concerned about your budget or about having more control and involvement in the process, the good news is that you have a lot of different options that go beyond the traditional, full-service wedding planner. For example, a budget friendly option is an À La Carte Planner. This would be a planner that works with you part-time and on a need basis. Usually they charge an hourly rate or flat fee for the specific services and projects you want them to help you with. Another budget friendly option that works for brides that want to be in complete control of the wedding planning, but to sit back and enjoy the wedding day is a Day-of Coordinator. This type of wedding planner simply coordinates everything on the day of your wedding. They'll be working with the vendors, keeping everything on schedule, and organizing any post wedding clean ups. Then, if you have no idea what you want your wedding to look like or have a very big and unique vision, you might consider an event designer. This is someone that would work alongside you or a more traditional wedding planner. They don't handle any of the logistics or budget tracking. They are focused on coordinating with vendors only to create the vision and design. A full service wedding planner, of course, does everything. They handle the bringing the vision to life through design and logistics. This doesn't mean they take over and you don't get a say. It simply means that you have an expert to help make what you want happen and that knows what the best options really are. Plus, anything you don't want to deal with can be completely handled by the wedding planner.